Adam Jones’ two-out, eighth-inning solo home run helped snap the Baltimore Orioles five-game losing streak as the O’s defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 at Minute Maid Park Thursday.

Scott Hallaran, Getty Images
Scott Hallaran, Getty Images
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"It's totally my fault, just a backup slider that I put on a tee and he hit it out," Qualls said. "He did his job. I made a mistake pitch."

The Jones homer, his seventh of the season, off of reliever Chad Qualls (1-3) wasted the solid effort by Astros’ starter Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel held the Orioles to two runs and six hits while striking out seven in six innings.

Baltimore got a strong outing from its starter as well. Wei-Yin Chen struck out a season-high 6.1 innings giving up two runs on five hits including a solo homer to catcher Hank Conger.

But the real story was Houston’s lack of offensive production, especially with runers in scoring position. The Astro’s wet 0-for-8 at the plate in that situation.

Houston’s biggest scoring opportunity went by the wayside in the seventh inning when O’s reliever Darren O’Day struck out George Springer and induced Jose Altuve to fly out to get out of a one-out bases-loaded jam in the seventh.

"A lot of what-ifs today," said Keuchel, who allowed a rare stolen base in the first inning that led to a run. "We really didn't deserve a chance to win."

Thanks to the Jones home run O’Day picked up his second win of the season allowing two walks in one inning of work. Closer Zach Britton came on and worked a perfect inning of relief to secure his 14th save of the season.

"We haven't been playing as well as we can. We know that we're better than the team that's been out there," O'Day said. " Getting out of jams is big. It kind of gives you a little momentum surge, and Adam had great timing there with that home run."

Houston opens a three-game series on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays Friday. First pitch is slated for 6:07 pm CT.

The Astros are expected to send veteran Roberto Hernandex (2-4, 4.92 ERA) to the mound to be opposed by right-hander Aaron Sanchez (4-4, 3.88).

You can hear the game on Sports Radio 1340 The Fan beginning with Astro’s Launch at 5:45 p.m.

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